The Southern Cross

Oh! say: can you see, through the gloom and the storm,
More bright for the darkness, that pure Constellation?
Like the symbol of love and redemption its form,
As it points to the haven of hope for the nation.
How radiant each star, as the beacon afar,
Giving promise of peace, or assurance in war!
’Tis the Cross of the South, which shall ever remain
To light us to Freedom and Glory again!

How peaceful and blest was America’s soil.
’Till betrayed by the guile of the Puritan Demon,
Which lurks under Virtue, and springs from its coil
To fasten its fangs in the life-blood of Freemen!
Then bol x lly appeal to each heart that can feel,
And crush the foul viper ’neath Liberty’s heel!
And the Cross of the South shall, in triumph, remain
To light us to Freedom and Glory again!

’Tis the Emblem of peace. ’tis the lay-Star of hope,
Like the sacred LABARUM that guided the Roman;
From the shore of the Gulf to the Delaware’s slope,
’Tis the trust of the Free, and the terror of Foemen.
Fling it folds to the air, while we boldly declare
The rights we demand, or the deeds that we dare!
While the Cross of the South shall, in triumph, remain
To light us to Freedom and Glory again!

And if peace should be hopeless and justice denied,
And war’s bloody vulture should flap its black pinions:
Then, gladly: To arms! while we hurl, in our pride,
Defiance to Tyrants and death to their minions!
With our front in the field, swearing never to yield,
Or return like the Spartan in death on our shield!..
And the Cross of the South shall triumphantly wave
As the Flag of the Free, or the Pall of the Brave!

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